July 3rd, 2020.
The Mayor of Seaford, Cllr. Rodney Reed, has issued an open invitation to join him in his unique Virtual Civic Service.It is usual practice for Seaford Town Council to host an annual Civic Service to welcome the new Mayor to their term in office. The current Corvid-19 restrictions mean that a physical event has not been possible this year, but thanks to the wonders of technology, Seaford Town Council has announced a unique and innovative
Virtual Civic Service than can still be celebrated and viewed online.
A host of video clips have been received and collated, and the
Virtual Civic Service will be available on Seaford Town Council’s and Seaford Baptist Church’s YouTube Channel.
HERE and
HERE from 12.00 noon tomorrow, Saturday the 4th of July.
Cllr. Reed explains: "I experienced my first weeks of being a ‘Virtual Mayor’ as isolated ones. I realise however that others have had more difficulties to endure, for example by being in quarantine or self-isolation.
"I have seen some of these difficulties in doorstep contacts with residents through the Seaford Volunteer Emergency Team and the Seahaven StoreHouse Foodbank.
"I have been impressed by the way many local charities and voluntary groups have persevered and have found new ways to continue serving the town during the pandemic.
"Our Virtual Civic Service is an opportunity to celebrate the community spirit in our town, which as usual and during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been admirable."
Contributors to the Virtual Civic Service include:
Rev. Andy Machin, Mayor’s Chaplain and Minister of the Seaford Baptist Church
Laurie Holland – Freeman of Seaford
Keith Blackburn – Freeman of Seaford
Peter White – Town Crier of Seaford and Serjeant at Mace
Tom and Rosemary Batts - Worship Leaders, Seaford Baptist Church
Phillip and Sheila White – Seaford Baptist Church
Jon Bowyer and Pete Baldwin - Worship Leaders, Kings Church Seaford
Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex – Peter Field Esq.
High Sheriff of East Sussex – Andrew Blackman
Mayor of Eastbourne - Cllr. Steve Wallis
Mayor of Brighton – Cllr. Alan Robins
Chair LDC - Cllr. Stephen Gauntlett
Chairman ESCC - Cllr. David Elkin
Seaford Silver Band – conducted by Dr Isla Sitwell
Maria Caulfield MP
Seaford Primary School ‘Keyworkers’ Choir – conducted by Mrs Kate Steer
Cllr Sarah McStravick - representing Seaford Volunteer Emergency Team (interviewed by Rev Andy Machin)
Kristina Veasey - SVET Service User interviewed by Alex Drury-Gorham of Seaford Baptist Church
Dawn Woodgate - representing Seahaven Storehouse Foodbank (interviewed by Jez Field Kings Church Seaford)
As previously announced, Cllr. Reed is not supporting one or two charities during his term in office, but has launched an initiative to help raise the profile of all charities and community interest groups who support causes within Seaford.
Any donations received into the Mayor’s Charity Fund this year will be spread between all those who have signed up to the initiative at the end of his term in office.
For more information about this, contact
mayors.secretary@seafordtowncouncil.gov.ukCllr. Reed is also supporting a
Virtual Mayor’s Garden Trail – Seaford’s Secret Gardens, which is being led by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Jean Cash. This is a project that will be available online also by way of a celebration of the many Seaford gardeners who have spent lockdown improving and cultivating their gardens.
Further details of the Virtual Mayor’s Garden Trail will be available mid-July.